on false pretenses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on false pretenses" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where someone deceives another person in order to gain something, often in a legal or ethical context. Example: "He obtained the money on false pretenses, claiming he was investing in a legitimate business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Actually, rigorously examining the government's conduct of a war started on false pretenses is the best sort of patriotism.

The New York Times

This included not only a war fought on false pretenses but also a system of torture and indefinite detention that, in far too many cases, ran against our laws and values (and was only partially checked by the Supreme Court).

The New Yorker

A country's ruling party leads the nation into a war fought on false pretenses, fails to protect the nation from terrorists and engages in a cover-up when a terrorist attack does occur.

The New York Times

Bad economic policy isn't the moral equivalent of a war fought on false pretenses, and while the predictions of deficit scolds have been wrong time and again, there hasn't been any development either as decisive or as shocking as the complete failure to find weapons of mass destruction.

The New York Times

Our war in Iraq was fundamentally a war of choice, and it was the wrong choice -- a war fought on false pretenses and for false purposes.

Huffington Post

Nonetheless I felt I'd been led there on false pretenses.

The New York Times - Arts

Neither predatory lending nor the selling of mortgages on false pretenses caused the crisis.

The New York Times

Nobody comes into her house on false pretenses and — well, you get the picture.

The New Yorker

(The title refers not only to burglary but to Will's entering Amira's life on false pretenses).

The New Yorker

Well, launching a war on false pretenses is, to say the least, a breach of trust.

The New York Times

More and more they sense that they were taken into war on false pretenses.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, follow "on false pretenses" with a phrase specifying what was obtained or achieved through the deception, for example: 'He obtained the loan on false pretenses'.

Common error

Avoid using "on false pretenses" when the situation involves simple mistakes or misunderstandings. This phrase implies intentional deceit, not accidental errors. If there was not any intention to deceive others, use other suitable expressions such as "due to misinformation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on false pretenses" functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to describe the manner in which an action is carried out. It indicates that something was achieved or done through deceit or misrepresentation. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in contexts involving deception.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on false pretenses" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that describes actions or situations based on deception or misrepresentation. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently found in news and media, as well as in legal or formal contexts. Its function is to modify verbs, indicating that something was achieved through deceit, often with the communicative purpose of revealing unethical or illegal behavior. While alternatives like "under false pretenses" and "by deception" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When using the phrase, remember to emphasize the intentional nature of the deceit to avoid misapplication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under false pretenses

Uses a different preposition but conveys the same core meaning of deception.

by deception

Focuses on the act of deceiving to achieve a goal.

through misrepresentation

Highlights the act of presenting something inaccurately.

by fraudulent means

Emphasizes the illegal or dishonest nature of the actions.

deceptively

An adverb describing an action performed in a misleading way.

with misleading information

Focuses on the use of incorrect information to guide someone.

under a false impression

Highlights the state of being misled rather than the act of deception.

based on fabrication

Emphasizes that something is based on lies rather than truth.

with ulterior motives

Highlights the hidden intentions behind actions.

underhandedly

Describes acting in a secretive and dishonest manner.

FAQs

How is "on false pretenses" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "on false pretenses" is used to describe situations where someone deceives another party to gain something. For example, "He acquired the property "on false pretenses" by forging documents".

What are some alternatives to using "on false pretenses"?

You can use alternatives like "under false pretenses", "by deception", or "through misrepresentation" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "on false pretenses" or "under false pretenses"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and widely used, but "under false pretenses" is slightly more common in modern usage. They are largely interchangeable.

What distinguishes "on false pretenses" from "based on misinformation"?

"On false pretenses" implies a deliberate act of deception, while "based on misinformation" suggests an unintentional error due to inaccurate information. The key difference lies in the intent to deceive.